More Homes Hit the Houston Market as Prices Level Off Ahead of Spring Buying Season
As spring approaches—traditionally the busiest time of year for homebuying—the Houston housing market is showing signs of settling into a more balanced pace, according to the Houston Association of Realtors’ February 2026 Housing Market Update.
While slightly fewer homes sold compared to last February, more properties are now available on the market, and buyer interest appears to be picking up. For many families across the Greater Houston area, that combination could mean more options and slightly improved affordability after several years of tight housing supply.
The Houston Association of Realtors, commonly known as HAR, tracks local housing activity through its widely used HAR.com real estate platform, which compiles listings and housing data from across the region. The organization provides one of the most widely followed snapshots of how the Houston real estate market is performing month to month.
More Homes Available for Buyers
One of the biggest changes in February was the increase in available homes for sale.
Across the Houston area, the number of active listings rose more than 14 percent compared to last year, giving buyers more choices as they search for homes. Housing supply for single-family homes also increased slightly, meaning homes are staying on the market a little longer than they did during the ultra-competitive pandemic housing boom.
Homes now spend an average of about 69 days on the market, allowing buyers more time to tour properties and consider their options.
For many residents who felt priced out or rushed in recent years, the shift could make the market feel a bit more manageable.
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Prices Begin to Moderate
Home prices across Houston showed mixed movement in February.
The average single-family home price rose slightly to about $415,000, while the median home price dipped just under one percent to around $322,000. Together, these shifts suggest that price growth is beginning to stabilize after several years of rapid increases.
Mortgage rates have also been easing in recent months. According to HAR’s report, interest rates have declined for eight consecutive months, helping lower monthly payments for buyers.
Compared to a year ago, someone purchasing a median-priced Houston home in February would have paid about $149 less per month on their mortgage, assuming a typical down payment.
HAR Chair Theresa Hill with Compass RE Texas, LLC – Houston said recent activity shows buyers are already preparing for the busy spring homebuying season.
“The Houston market continues to show signs of balance,” Hill said. “Buyer interest remains strong, and the increase in showings and pending sales tells us the spring market is already beginning to take shape.”
Sales Dip Slightly, But Demand Remains
In February, 5,918 single-family homes sold across the Houston area, a modest 2.2 percent decline compared to last year.
However, the number of pending home sales rose 13 percent, indicating that many buyers are currently under contract and preparing to close in the coming months.
Economists say that while housing activity nationwide has struggled to fully recover from the pandemic housing boom, Houston’s market has largely returned to more typical levels of activity.
HAR Chief Economist Dr. Ted C. Jones said the market has already worked through the extreme swings seen during the pandemic.
“If you are waiting for the Houston housing market to bottom, it already did several years ago and is back to normal levels,” Jones said.
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What This Means for Houston Homebuyers and Sellers
For Houston-area families thinking about moving this year, the current housing landscape may offer a more balanced environment than in recent years.
Buyers are seeing:
- More homes available for sale
- Mortgage rates gradually easing
- Prices stabilizing after several years of rapid growth
Sellers, meanwhile, are still benefiting from steady buyer demand, especially as the spring market approaches.
With more listings expected to arrive in the coming months, the 2026 spring housing season in Houston will likely provide a clearer picture of where the market is heading for the rest of the year.
HAR will release additional updates in the coming weeks, including its February Rental Market Update, offering further insight into housing trends affecting residents across the Greater Houston region.
For continued updates on local housing trends, development, and community growth across the Houston region, stay tuned to My Neighborhood News.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.